Jan 28, 2008

Weekly Ram Report

Milestones are the watchword surrounding the Philadelphia University women's basketball program at the moment. Last Monday at the 9:57 mark of the opening period of the Lady Rams' Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday game vs. Concordia College at The Gallagher Center, senior forward Ashley Webster scored the 1,000th point of her career. The game was paused, allowing Athletic Director and Head Coach Tom Shirley the chance to present Webster a ball commemorating her entry into the 1,000-point club, becoming the 23rd women's player in school history to reach the plateau.

Webster went on to score 11 total points in the contest, adding 11 rebounds and five steals as Philadelphia University closed out it's non-conference slate with a 77-49 win over the Clippers. With her string of takeaways, Webster passed Lady Rams' assistant coach Melissa (Kelly) Storm '02 and then tied former Philadelphia great Karen Wusinich '00 for seventh place among the school's all-time leaders in steals.

But the four-year standout for the Lady Rams would save her top performance of the week for a key league win on the road at Post University on Sat., Jan. 26. In that outing, Webster registered her ninth double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, in a 72-49 victory over the Eagles. The product of Philadelphia's Cheltenham High School recorded 15 points and eight boards in the second half as the visiting Lady Rams pulled away from the hosts. Now standing at 11-6 overall and 4-4 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), the Lady Rams are poised for a successful stretch run that could improve their seeding in the conference's postseason tournament.

Of course, the 2-0 week for Philadelphia couldn't have happened without other key contributions. And those efforts came from junior guard Amanda Brennan and sophomore center Jessica Romano. Combined with Webster, the trio has emerged as a formidable challenge for opposing teams when they are playing in synch. As a group, they are averaging 47 of the team's 72.1 ppg this season, accounting for nearly two-thirds (65.2%) of the scoring.

Against Concordia and Post, Romano scored 20 and 21 points and collected 12 and nine rebounds while Amanda Brennan connected for 19 and 18 points, respectively. Brennan shot 50% (8-16) from the three-point line in the pair of games, while Romano proved most effective in the post, scoring from close range or especially drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. The center from Horsham, Pa. shot 17-19 (89.5%) from the charity stripe last week, continuing a pattern established by the Lady Rams this season.

Through games of Jan. 20, 2008, Philadelphia University was 4th in NCAA Division II in free-throw percentage, connecting at a 78.6% clip (304-387) from the foul line. Added testament to their prowess from the fifteen-foot line is that the Lady Rams have the most attempts among the teams rated in the top 10 nationwide.

Looking ahead to the coming week, again the milestones are in focus for the Lady Rams. Head coach Tom Shirley is just two wins shy of number 550 for his 27-year career. This includes 399 wins at Philadelphia University, where he is in the midst of his 19th season at the helm. Shirley aims for numbers 400 and 550 as his squad faces their South Division rivals from the state of Delaware this week. Goldey-Beacom comes to the Gallagher Center on Tue., Jan. 29 at 6:00 p.m. and then Philadelphia travels to Wilmington for a 1:00 p.m. Groundhog Day matinee on Sat., Feb. 2. The Lady Rams have a four-game home winning streak, dating back to the first encounter of the season with the Wildcats on Fri., Dec. 21 when Wilmington took the 83-71 decision.

Fast fact: The Lady Rams are 9-2 this season when they score 70 or more points.

Here is a look at how the rest of the varsity athletic teams fared this past week:

MEN'S BASKETBALL (10-10 overall, 7-0 CACC) - In their only game last week, sophomore swingman Marcus Lemon came off the bench to score 20 of his team-high 21 points in the second half as Philadelphia University overcame a 12-point halftime deficit in a clutch 70-67 comeback win at Post University in Waterbury, Conn. on Sat., Jan. 26.

Four players factored in double figures for the visiting Rams, led by Lemon who shot 6-15 (40%) from the floor and 6-9 (66.6%) from the charity stripe. Sophomore forward Malcolm Ingram chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds, while junior guard Mike Dunn had 15 points and senior forward Jason Hickenbottom recorded 10.

The homestanding Eagles scored the first basket of the game and quickly raced out to an 11-1 lead. Post held Philadelphia without a field goal until the 9:07 mark, when Russell Frederick hit a three-pointer, cutting the Eagles' lead to 16-8. Post would keep the momentum in the first half, taking a 32-20 lead into the locker room at halftime.

The hosts held their largest lead of the game at 39-21 with 17:28 left in the second half. But a 7-3 run by the Rams cut into the deficit, and the Eagle lead was down to 11 points, 42-31, with 13:14 left to play. Philadelphia continued to climb back into the contest, as a 9-0 run capped by a layup from Dunn trimmed the Post lead to 50-47 with 8:06 left in the closing frame. The Eagles would cling to their evaporating advantage over the next several minutes, but the Rams finally tied the contest at the 1:58 mark with a layup by Ingram. Hickenbottom finally put the Rams up for good by nailing a pair of free throws with 0:37 seconds left en route to the three-point victory.

The Rams ride a four-game winning streak and hold an unblemished league record as they face their neighbors from Delaware this week; Goldey-Beacom at home on Tuesday night then at Wilmington on Saturday afternoon. Philadelphia defeated the Wildcats 65-61 in their first encounter back on Dec. 1, 2007 at the Palestra.

News and Notes: Lemon's 21-point outburst at Post represents his season high and one shy of his collegiate best. The transfer from Gannon has six efforts in double-figure scoring so far this season, all coming in his last eight games played.

Men's Basketball Head Coach Herb Magee will be honored at the Philadelphia SportsWriters Association (PSWA) Awards Dinner on Mon., Jan. 28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J. Magee, who last February became the winningest Head Coach in NCAA Division II history, will receive the PSWA's Special Achievement Award. Also being recognized is two-sport student-athlete Brooke Woodland, a lacrosse and field hockey player who recently overcame a ligament injury. Woodland is being distinguished for her outstanding skills and abilities along with several other collegiate student-athletes in the Philadelphia area.

Fast fact: If you can't make it to the Gallagher Center arena for the men's and women's basketball games, tune in to free play-by-play of all home games via Teamline audio, or purchase live pay-per-view Internet video coverage of all CACC games for a nominal fee at CACC.TV. Links to the all of the broadcasts can be found at the official home of the Rams on the web at http://www.philaurams.com/.


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The game was paused, allowing Athletic Director and Head Coach Tom Shirley the chance to present Webster a ball commemorating her entry into the 1,000-point club, becoming the 23rd women's player in school history to reach the plateau. Webster went on to score 11 total points in the contest, adding 11 rebounds and five steals as Philadelphia University closed out it's non-conference slate with a 77-49 win over the Clippers. With her string of takeaways, Webster passed Lady Rams' assistant coach Melissa (Kelly) Storm '02 and then tied former Philadelphia great Karen Wusinich '00 for seventh place among the school's all-time leaders in steals. But the four-year standout for the Lady Rams would save her top performance of the week for a key league win on the road at Post University on Sat., Jan. 26. In that outing, Webster registered her ninth double-double of the season, scoring 25 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, in a 72-49 victory over the Eagles. The product of Philadelphia's Cheltenham High School recorded 15 points and eight boards in the second half as the visiting Lady Rams pulled away from the hosts. Now standing at 11-6 overall and 4-4 in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC), the Lady Rams are poised for a successful stretch run that could improve their seeding in the conference's postseason tournament. Of course, the 2-0 week for Philadelphia couldn't have happened without other key contributions. And those efforts came from junior guard Amanda Brennan and sophomore center Jessica Romano. Combined with Webster, the trio has emerged as a formidable challenge for opposing teams when they are playing in synch. As a group, they are averaging 47 of the team's 72.1 ppg this season, accounting for nearly two-thirds (65.2%) of the scoring. Against Concordia and Post, Romano scored 20 and 21 points and collected 12 and nine rebounds while Amanda Brennan connected for 19 and 18 points, respectively. Brennan shot 50% (8-16) from the three-point line in the pair of games, while Romano proved most effective in the post, scoring from close range or especially drawing fouls and getting to the free-throw line. The center from Horsham, Pa. shot 17-19 (89.5%) from the charity stripe last week, continuing a pattern established by the Lady Rams this season. Through games of Jan. 20, 2008, Philadelphia University was 4th in NCAA Division II in free-throw percentage, connecting at a 78.6% clip (304-387) from the foul line. Added testament to their prowess from the fifteen-foot line is that the Lady Rams have the most attempts among the teams rated in the top 10 nationwide. Looking ahead to the coming week, again the milestones are in focus for the Lady Rams. Head coach Tom Shirley is just two wins shy of number 550 for his 27-year career. This includes 399 wins at Philadelphia University, where he is in the midst of his 19th season at the helm. Shirley aims for numbers 400 and 550 as his squad faces their South Division rivals from the state of Delaware this week. Goldey-Beacom comes to the Gallagher Center on Tue., Jan. 29 at 6:00 p.m. and then Philadelphia travels to Wilmington for a 1:00 p.m. Groundhog Day matinee on Sat., Feb. 2. The Lady Rams have a four-game home winning streak, dating back to the first encounter of the season with the Wildcats on Fri., Dec. 21 when Wilmington took the 83-71 decision. Fast fact: The Lady Rams are 9-2 this season when they score 70 or more points. Here is a look at how the rest of the varsity athletic teams fared this past week: MEN'S BASKETBALL (10-10 overall, 7-0 CACC) - In their only game last week, sophomore swingman Marcus Lemon came off the bench to score 20 of his team-high 21 points in the second half as Philadelphia University overcame a 12-point halftime deficit in a clutch 70-67 comeback win at Post University in Waterbury, Conn. on Sat., Jan. 26. Four players factored in double figures for the visiting Rams, led by Lemon who shot 6-15 (40%) from the floor and 6-9 (66.6%) from the charity stripe. Sophomore forward Malcolm Ingram chipped in with 16 points and nine rebounds, while junior guard Mike Dunn had 15 points and senior forward Jason Hickenbottom recorded 10. The homestanding Eagles scored the first basket of the game and quickly raced out to an 11-1 lead. Post held Philadelphia without a field goal until the 9:07 mark, when Russell Frederick hit a three-pointer, cutting the Eagles' lead to 16-8. Post would keep the momentum in the first half, taking a 32-20 lead into the locker room at halftime. The hosts held their largest lead of the game at 39-21 with 17:28 left in the second half. But a 7-3 run by the Rams cut into the deficit, and the Eagle lead was down to 11 points, 42-31, with 13:14 left to play. Philadelphia continued to climb back into the contest, as a 9-0 run capped by a layup from Dunn trimmed the Post lead to 50-47 with 8:06 left in the closing frame. The Eagles would cling to their evaporating advantage over the next several minutes, but the Rams finally tied the contest at the 1:58 mark with a layup by Ingram. Hickenbottom finally put the Rams up for good by nailing a pair of free throws with 0:37 seconds left en route to the three-point victory. The Rams ride a four-game winning streak and hold an unblemished league record as they face their neighbors from Delaware this week; Goldey-Beacom at home on Tuesday night then at Wilmington on Saturday afternoon. Philadelphia defeated the Wildcats 65-61 in their first encounter back on Dec. 1, 2007 at the Palestra. News and Notes: Lemon's 21-point outburst at Post represents his season high and one shy of his collegiate best. The transfer from Gannon has six efforts in double-figure scoring so far this season, all coming in his last eight games played. Men's Basketball Head Coach Herb Magee will be honored at the Philadelphia SportsWriters Association (PSWA) Awards Dinner on Mon., Jan. 28 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, N.J. Magee, who last February became the winningest Head Coach in NCAA Division II history, will receive the PSWA's Special Achievement Award. Also being recognized is two-sport student-athlete Brooke Woodland, a lacrosse and field hockey player who recently overcame a ligament injury. Woodland is being distinguished for her outstanding skills and abilities along with several other collegiate student-athletes in the Philadelphia area. Fast fact: If you can't make it to the Gallagher Center arena for the men's and women's basketball games, tune in to free play-by-play of all home games via Teamline audio, or purchase live pay-per-view Internet video coverage of all CACC games for a nominal fee at CACC.TV. Links to the all of the broadcasts can be found at the official home of the Rams on the web at http://www.philaurams.com/.